Book on life in 1920s South Texas subject of presentation at MOSTH

Wednesday

Jun 8, 2011 at 12:01 AMJun 8, 2011 at 10:22 AM

On Sunday, June 12, the Museum of South Texas History in Edinburg continues its Speaker Series when author José Antonio López presents his newest book, Nights of Wailing, Days of Pain: Life in 1920s South Texas, from 2 to 4 p.m. Although López's work is fiction, the story seeks to represent what daily life was like for American citizens with Spanish-Mexican roots in 1920s South Texas.

Nights of Wailing, Days of Pain revolves around a successful Tejano family who has made a respectable name for themselves as ranchers and members of the community. The patron of this family, Don Roberto Gutierrez, is the former county sheriff and traces his family lineage to the first settlers in Texas. The story continues with Don Roberto being falsely accused of smuggling contraband animals from Mexico.

López's work pushes the reader to face inevitable truths from a tumultuous time in South Texas history. Citizens who helped to develop Texas, fought in wars for the United States, and were contributing members of the community, were being persecuted because of their Mexican heritage during this period. Nights of Wailing, Days of Pain represents the perseverance of Tejanos and those that chose to support their cause for equality. The public is invited to this Sunday Speaker Series and book signing following the presentation.

The Sunday Speaker Series is included in the regular museum admission. FRIENDS of the Museum are admitted free as a benefit of FRIENDships. For information on the event or becoming a FRIEND of the Museum, call 956-383-6911 or visit www.mosthistory.org. The Museum of South Texas History is located at 200 N. Closner Boulevard on the Hidalgo County Courthouse square in downtown Edinburg.